Wednesday, February 29, 2012

This building is the "barn" where books are stored at our local library. Our tiny town library is in an old house with a small wing added on the back. Due to structural concerns, some of the books are stored in this barn next to the main building. Plans are underway to replace the library building, however there continues to be a lot of opposition in town (gotta love small town politics). I imagine, one way or another, that this building isn't going to be around much longer.

Signs of Life will be on exhibit at West Village Provisions in Boxford, Massachusetts through the month of March.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Jellybeans are always fun to paint with their round shapes and cheerful colors. I always try to wait until this time of year to paint them - I could be in trouble if I kept them around all year - it's too hard to keep from eating them! I think the purple ones are my favorite ;-)

Jellybean Bowl will be hanging at West Village Provisions in Boxford, Massachusetts for the month of March. I will be painting another jellybean piece for sale on my blog and Etsy store next!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

It has been a tough week to get much painting done - the kids are all home for February vacation week! By the time night rolls around, I've been too exhausted from running around with them all day to do much painting. Tomorrow they are all off to the north to go skiing, so I'm planning to chain myself to the easel all day ;-)

I'm starting to apply to a few juried artisan fairs for this summer and fall. I hope to share some details as they become available. With three juried exhibitions coming up in the next month and a half, I think I've got some painting to do.....

Touched will be available at West Village Provisions in Boxford, MA for the month of March.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Yes, I know - kind of predictable for a title, but it is actually what it says on the side of the box, so I couldn't resist.
I didn't really plan on this 4x4 series - they just have kind of been flowing, so I've been going with it. Wonder if I am subconsciously trying to avoid going back to landscapes after I wrestled so much with the last one?
Well, I think I have one more of these 4x4's in my head - then I need to work on some replacement pieces for the local coffee house - and then I really need to get going on my show submissions - lots of spring shows coming up quickly!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

This is my attempt at the White on White Challenge on DailyPaintworks.com
I knew that this would be extra challenging knowing my normal dependence on color - but, wow, it was really tough!
You can see my entire DPW gallery here - kinda cool to see so many of my paintings all in one place!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Yep, more fruit!
These little 4x4s are proving to be a lot of fun. I have two more that I want to try to work on, then I will probably be ready to move on ;-)
Meanwhile I am going to take a break from these for tomorrow - I really want to try the white on white challenge from DailyPaintworks. Being how much I like to paint color, this should really be a challenge. If you don't hear from me for a few days, I'm probably pulling my hair out.......

Friday, February 10, 2012

Of course I should be working on entries for some upcoming exhibitions....but no, I seem to be stuck on these little fruit paintings. I'm trying to think of them as a warm up for the future pieces.....

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Okay, this is an oldie from almost 2 years ago - but it just sold today!
It sure has me hankering to paint some spring flowers. I had to tear myself away from the bouquets at Trader Joes today. Hmmm - maybe after I finish this little food series I seem to be doing......

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

After a really "green slime" kind of a day (thank you, Crystal Cook for that term!) I felt the need to do something kind of quick and fun, so I turned to one of my favorite foods - avocado. Yum! Guacamole anyone?

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Pears come in so many interesting shapes and colors. Some are smooth, others more lumpy. And the coloring tends to be subtle, but has so many colors in it when you look closely. I find it hard to make it through the grocery store without buying a couple. Unfortunately I get so taken with painting them, I rarely actually get around to eating them before they get too soft!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

One last (?) little study. I hope to translate these to some 5x7 panels soon.

So many ideas of paintings that I want to work on. It actually makes it difficult to begin a new one because I have so many ideas floating in my head and I don't know what to start next. How do you handle it when you feel like you have so many ideas, but so little time?

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Arrrgghh! This one drove me nuts! I don't even know how many times I painted over it!
This field is across the street from the school that my youngest child attends. I love this field! It is wonderful in every season. I really wanted to capture the stark beauty of it in winter, even without the lush greens that cover it three seasons of the year. I think I will probably have to give it another shot, on another day ;-)

Retro roadside art.....Join me as I paint my way around New England, capturing favorite signs and buildings that are quickly disappearing from our landscape - with some classic cars and vintage toys thrown in for fun.

Want to purchase a painting shown - or commission one of your own? Please contact me at DShirleyArt@yahoo.com for more information.